Invaders indeed!
The lionfish explosion happened as early as 1985 off the coast of Florida.
They can consume more than 100 species of fish, competing with our local fish for food.
Lionfish reproduce year-round!
Each female can produce two million eggs per year.
That divides out to almost 17,000 eggs every three days.
They are voracious hunters, mostly at night.
Their spines, which are venomous make them have no known predators.
They can also live up to 30 years!
They are native to the South Pacific and Indian ocean regions in warm waters.
Their native range is from Malaysia and Western Australia, north around the southern edges of Japan and South Korea, around Australia's eastern coast and New Zealand, as well as throughout Micronesia.
(Sourced from National Marine Sanctuary Foundation)
What a species!
I've heard they are a delicious, delicate whitefish.
Every place we've tried to get them, they are sold out!
Someday I'll eat them.
Ask at your favorite seafood restaurant apparently, they're readily available from divers.
Today was spent putting wires on paintings and varnishing.
Some packing too, as the paintings are starting to attack me in the studio!
Invaders of our shores I, Acrylic on shadowbox canvas, 16 x 16 inches
Day 89 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2022
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